Three things I love about fall

Even though it's still warm here in Texas, autumn will be here soon.

Here's a list of three things I love about fall.

I love that Starbucks has brought back Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

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Cinnamon scented pine cones.

Leather riding boots.

What are your favorite things about the fall season?

Seamless in Seattle

Those of you that follow me on Twitter, Instagram, or even Facebook have know that I've been working on a big project for Seattle Magazine's Seamless in Seattle.  It's a contest for clothing/accessory designers in the state of Washington. 

Well today I submitted photos of 5 handbags/totes and 3 clutches in the hopes of winning some wonderful prizes and be included in a fashion show (although I'm not really sure how that works with bags.)  I had 2 of my wonderful friends help model the bags at the beach over this past weekend.  We had so much fun.

I've been keeping my designs secret until now.  I would like to share with you a few of the photos that I submitted as well as brief descriptions.

A yellow and white striped tote with smocking and pleating detail.

 

 Yellow/white striped and turquoise cotton voile foldover clutch and turquoise sash tied onto a wide brimmed hat.

Smocked European linen and coral paisley/turquoise foldover clutch

 

Tote with a wavy tuck detail

Coral chevron and faux leather with chevron embroidery detail foldover clutch

 

 

Coral chevron pleated bag with turquoise sash

 

Turquoise dandelion and faux leather cross over bag with vertical wavy tuck detail

 

 European linen and faux leather pleated bag with coral/lilac paisley sash

 

The coral/lilac sash tied in a turban style head wrap

What's your favorite? 

I LOVE the smocked tote and the chevron foldover clutch.

3 Things I'm Obsessed With - May

A little late this month, but here are 3 things I'm obsessed with this month.

1 - Somehow recently I've become addicted to owls.  I found this crazy adorable one at Payless Shoe Store.

 2 - The 1920's Fashion (we can blame The Great Gatsby for this one)

This cloche:

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These dress patterns:

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 This flapper dress:

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3 - Grecian updos.  I just love the look of wrapping your hair in thin strips of trim.

January Jones:

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Blake Lively:

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What are you in love with this month?  Leave me a comment below.

Wine Tasting on the Weekend

This past weekend I finally gave in and went wine tasting with my friend Stacey.  The weather was kinda warm for the Pacific NW.

I thought shorts and an open back blouse would be perfect, and it was.  The top combines 3 super hot trends this season: open back, with the ability to still wear a regular bra, high/low (see my high/low modern 80's post), and a bunting print.

Top: Frencesca's ( no longer for sale online, but check out their stores)

Shorts: Mossimo Target in soft aqua

Shoes: Camel Brown Wedges

How I styled it: just a simple pony, sunglasses, and simple make-up.  Put your hair up so people can see your open back.

I have linked-up with The Pleated Poppy, Glamamom, The Life of the Party, and Style Elixir.

What I Wore Wednesday - May 8

This past week has been beautiful in the NW. 

The kids and I went out towards one of the mountain passes and enjoyed the sun while riding trains.

This week I have linked in with The Pleated Poppy and The Life of the Party. 

Here's what I wore:

Top: Crepe mint blouse with peter pan collar: Forever 21 (it also has tiny white cats printed on it) - Sorry sold out, but here's one very similar

Bottom: Jeans from Express

Bag: Taylor & Landon

How to Find Free Patterns

So if you didn't know the little turquoise "B" to the right of my blog is a link to my Burdastyle profile. If you love to sew clothing this is a great website to meet others with the same passion.  Today I want to discuss one of the great things Burdastyle.com offers: FREE PATTERNS (yes FREE..just click the free box when searching for patterns)

This is the first dress I have made using a free Burdstyle pattern.  It's the lace-strapless-dress. Ayelet over at The Graceful Rose has a great tutorial on how to use a PDF pattern.  Follow this link: here.

 Here's a really quick blurb about what changes I made to the dress.

I used the medium pattern.  Not knowing if the dress would be too small I used a 1/4" seam. I added a cute collar, boning at each seam, and turned it into a halter. After adding a zipper I realized the bodice is a little big at the bust (fits pretty good at the waist). I will had to go back and tighten at the zipper (as the collar is preventing me from tightening anywhere else without lots of seam ripping).

Lesson learned: make a muslin first and then use that as your new pattern.

I styled it with a 3/4 arm-length sweater from Target, cute wide white belt, and flats (not seen in this photo).

Now go try your hand at a pattern.

3 Things I'm Obsessed With - April

Here are 3 thing I've been drooling over this month.

The trend of high/low shirts and dresses.  I know, I know it's a little 80's.  But I love how it makes your legs look just a little longer.  Here's a really fun one at ModCloth.

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 1950's vintage style.  Nothing is more awesome than a dress that really shows off an hour glass figure.  A circle skirt dress cinches in at the waist and flares out to a create a beautiful shape.  I found an adorable one at French Connection.

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 The color scheme of yellow and turquoise.  Such a happy color combination. (Be on the look out for these colors coming into my shop)

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What are you in love with?  Let me know in a comment!

What I wore Wednesday - Pink and Gray

Still rainy and chilly here in the Northwest.  I'm pretty much still in my winter wardrobe.

The dress is my favorite from Romy.  They cycle thru seasons quickly and no longer carry that dress.  But here is a new one that is very similar.

The sweater is a light pink cardigan from Target Merona brand.  Once again another store that only has the clothing for the season.  Here is a very similar one:

The scarf is from Old Navy last spring.  Target and Old Navy always have a great selection of scarves.  This one is a light jersey that I have tied in the back to create an infinity scarf.

 The belt is a skinny braided belt from Target; here's the link.

The boots are my favorite.  They are the Etienne Aigner Colton Riding Boot in Dark Chestnut.  The front is a brown leather while the back half of the boot is a heavy canvas in houndstooth print.  I bought them at Macy's, but they are sold out.  Here's a link to a place that still has them in stock. 

The leg warmers are a fun addition to the outfit that I found on an Etsy store, Grace and Lace.  Check them out, they have lots of great products.

Destination Elopement

Are you planning a destination elopement? Not really sure what you should wear?  This Friday Fashion segment will discuss an amazing couple and what they wore.

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This beautiful, model-like couple are my sister and her new husband.  They eloped at Viansa Winery last week under stunning blue skies.  The location is picture perfect.  What a great idea to use a gorgeous location as your wedding backdrop.  Check out Viansa Winery's Facebook page here.

I'd also like to give a big shout out to Photography by Jen Philips for such stunning photos.  You can see her work here.

This dress is by Adrianna Papell at Nordstrom's (here is the link).  Nordstrom's didn't have the ivory version in the store.  They did have this dress in black, she was able to try it on, and then order online.  A ready-made dress is key for an elopement.  Most designer wedding gowns can easily take 4-6 months to be made.

Didn't you just die when you saw her shoes?  They are a wonderful pop of color and an easy way to make your wedding attire personal.  The shoes are the Lulu Townsend Valentine Pump in fuchsia at DSW (here is the link).

She picked up the earrings in a cute little boutique in Las Vegas a few years ago.  They are simple chandelier drop earrings that can be found in any local jewelry store. Here is a similar style.

 The handsome groom went with a gray slim fitting suit.  This suit can be purchased at any high end clothing store.  I found a great option at Nordstrom's.

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As for the shirt, the groom is wearing the Ludlow spread-collar end-on-end shirt in frosted aqua at J.Crew.  

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 Both the groom's necktie and socks are navy with pink polka dots to coordinate with the bride's pop of color.  The tie is from J.Crew.  While the socks are from Express.

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If you are planning a modern elopement remember you don't have to keep it simple, just make it your own.  Also don't forget go to a department store and ask if any of the dresses they carry come in white.